Forming compound curves in heavy aluminum plate

[mydauphin]

Korvello, I have built or rebuilt at least 20 boats in life. My first boat I believe was when I was 12. My trick is following successful designs and just tune them to my liking. I am not putting down many architects or designers, but many dont have the time to do a good design from scratch. I rather get a hull from bertram, chris-craft or whoever and make it better for my use. Then I spend alot of time fine tuning weight distribution, propulsion, etc... I dont get things right most of the time the first time. But neither do the guys with all the computers either. I treat boats like race cars, alot of trial and error.

I will not buy a new boat any more. I look at them and get upset. They are all lacking engineering, strength, ease of access, reliability , are inefficient and have too much power and don't carry enough fuel or water.

So seriously, I would buy a old good hull cheap, And work from there. You have a baseline. Then improve the boat to your needs. I leave interior layout and design for almost last. I just build interior as needed to fit things like electrical panel. I try to optimized boat design to usage. I work in broad strokes first and then work into detail as it goes.

Sure this method is not very efficient, or commercially viable but allows me to fix design mistakes in real world. Why build a design in computer then to realize the bathroom door wont close. I never know where I am going to put toilet until bathroom is built. Sounds simple but in boat bathroom an inch is alot.

Your probably asking, what does this have to do with boat design.
Unless you have built a 100 boats in your life from start to finish, it is hard to predicate boat weight. And if you cant predicate weight, then how can you predicate how your boat lays in water? Can you predict how much fiberglass is going to weight? Computer is starting tool but when you put boat in water that is reality. Same goes for props, rudders and heavy items like fuel tank.

Of course, the smaller the boat the easier. I would start by building a 12 to 14 ' Skiff type boat. It will teach a lot. Copy a simple design like the original Carolina Skiff. One of the things your going to learn fast, it is cheaper to buy a used Skiff and fix it than laying glass yourself...

I would love to see your design, and I will give you a honest opinion.... for free... lol

[Jimbo1490]

And I am well aware of the disaster it portends. Oh, well, our species just insists on consistently doing the stupidest things possible, like in this case destroying our collective home for individually selfish reasons.

As already stated, the northwest passage has been open before, without any help from 'evil' humans. Is it not at least possible that it is opening for the same reasons today?

When the earth was considerably warmer than today (within recorded history) it was a time of peaceful weather, abundance and prosperity. But of course, this is not as newsworthy as doom and gloom

Jimbo

[korvello]

thank you TONY,very interesting aproach ,i've used the same before while remodeling or building houses ,now i can just tell what works or not without building it but it sure took a lot of trial and error and continuous last minute changes..................i'm building "my boat "not an experiment or learning cannoe i intend to go away for large periods of time , it will be a catamaran minimun 26 by 52 with a few original ideas; i will have some basic renderings hopefully soon and i'll submit them to you and maybe the open forum ,quite a lot of experienced guys here on the forum and i love debate and explore new points of view i'm sure i'll have a lot to learn and bugs to fix, that's why i'm picking your brain can't beat hands on experience of guys like you, once again thank you for your time.

[bengomez]

Originally Posted by Dagvald

You need to investigate "english wheel". We hand formed compound curve sections on 53' round bilge aluminum hull. I
have photos. You could build one yourself. For forming aluminum I don't think you'd need hardened steel rollers. Industrial "caster type" wheels would do. It's surprising how little pressure is required on the wheels.

I agree with that man, yeah industrial caster type wheels would be...




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blanchard grinding

[Jackphilps]

TIG weld the seams?????????? wot on earth

[whoosh]

lot of funny stuff being written here, one big no no, never tig seams butts, distortion is immense, mig at high speed
i use poly formers for forming, thats why there are no marks outside, the stretching is on inside where the heavy marks are
these are part of my book so scuse text

[Ad Hoc]

Jackphilps
Just read your comment had to laugh, and so I looked back. I agree...but which is worse, TIG welding the seams, heating the plate or forcing into place...unbeliveable what seems to pass as "acceptable ship/boat yard practice" for many!!!...and they wonder why aluminium gets a bad name!